Jump proofing eggcrate

Ronny#66 · 02/03/2009, 11:07 PM

There was thread here before. i want to cover the eggcrate. I don't want to impede the light. What is used and how to secure so it looks good .

Ronny

vid660 · 02/03/2009, 11:09 PM

You want to cover eggcrate you already have on the tank?

Tylt33 · 02/03/2009, 11:11 PM

Bridal veil or bird netting. What size is your tank, Ronny? My local window/glass store custom made me two screens for my 120g for $20... lets plenty of light in, and 0% chance of a fish jumping. Looks nice too!

dwd5813 · 02/03/2009, 11:39 PM

tylt, do you have any pics or could you take one to post?

chort55 · 02/04/2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tylt33
Bridal veil or bird netting. What size is your tank, Ronny? My local window/glass store custom made me two screens for my 120g for $20... lets plenty of light in, and 0% chance of a fish jumping. Looks nice too!

You can also get the materials to build the frame from HD and Lowes to do it yourself

Ronny#66 · 02/04/2009, 08:30 AM

Ya i remember stuff posted here from lows or home depot. tank 25 gal had eggcrate on tank took it off put glass top back on to keep my diamond gobie in . I think i ket a different light projection with the glass .Some mushrooms have shrunk a little since I did this. Been married 34 years no bridal veil. My daughter has her dress all sealed stored here. What do you think .

Ronny

Ronny#66 · 02/04/2009, 08:31 AM

I can't do search there was a thread here for this can ya find it and post it

Thanks Ronny

michellejy · 02/04/2009, 08:34 AM

I'm sure your daughter would love you for that.

I put aluminum screen over mine and haven't noticed any change in the corals. Although this was totally a guess, I was hoping that the bright silver aluminum screening would reflect a little bit of the light to offset what was being blocked. I used silver egg crate for the same reason. (I have screen wrapped around egg crate.) Apparently if you can find 1/4" egg crate, you can skip the screening and just use that, but I couldn't find 1/4".

ducatimikep · 02/04/2009, 08:37 AM

On Topic / Off topic
How does the tank need to be covered
to prevent "things" from jumping AWOL?

w16227 · 02/04/2009, 09:15 AM

Without a canopy to hide things - something that looks "good" may be a problem - and block more light. A finer mesh will work - but block more light. You could also try offsetting a second piece of egg crate over the first one (use some plastic spacer to lock the offset) and attach with zip ties.

I would probably go with some form of canopy (your 25 gal - right?)- a smaller one is cheap and you most likely would not need anything else to cover the tank.

Best bet - post a current pic. Might help generate some ideas. In my case - I used egg crate for support and stability - then attached plastic gutter guard in areas that needed additional "blockage".

Not the most light friendly - but I do not have this between my lights and the tank - just on the open back of the canopy.

Klaus777 · 02/04/2009, 09:22 AM

Not sure if this is the thread you're looking for but it has some good ideas that I plan to try.
HTH

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1550294

THE ROOK · 02/04/2009, 09:32 AM

I just switched from eggcrate to screens w/ frames & it's much cleaner looking as well as keeping fish where they belong.

For my 75 I simply purchased;
2 - 8' pieces of black frame
2 - 4 packs of black corners
1 - roll of fiberglass silver screen ( not metal)
1- roll of spline cord
1 - spline install tool

Total: $20.59 @ Home Depot last week.

Ronny#66 · 02/05/2009, 08:05 AM

Rook How did you make openings to gain access to feed ect.

THE ROOK · 02/05/2009, 08:22 AM

I made the screens about 1/4 - 1/2" smaller depth wise to allow for powerhead cords.

I don't really have an issue with fish jumping but you could easily add some epdm weatherstripping or a thin rubber flap on the back edge if your worried about the jumpers.

As far as feeding, I wrapped a small piece of electrical tape from the front underside to create a handle. Works great. Just lift & slide over to over to feed. I may rivet a small u-shaped handle to the screens for a finished look.

If I can borrow a digital camera, I'll snap some pics of the difference. Looks much better.

02/03/2009, 11:07 PM	#1
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Jump proofing eggcrate There was thread here before. i want to cover the eggcrate. I don't want to impede the light. What is used and how to secure so it looks good . Ronny

02/03/2009, 11:39 PM	#4
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	tylt, do you have any pics or could you take one to post? __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

02/04/2009, 08:34 AM	#8
michellejy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: OH Posts: 1,076	I'm sure your daughter would love you for that. I put aluminum screen over mine and haven't noticed any change in the corals. Although this was totally a guess, I was hoping that the bright silver aluminum screening would reflect a little bit of the light to offset what was being blocked. I used silver egg crate for the same reason. (I have screen wrapped around egg crate.) Apparently if you can find 1/4" egg crate, you can skip the screening and just use that, but I couldn't find 1/4". __________________ Michelle Current Tank Info: 30G FOWLR Clownfish tank soon to be replaced by JBJ 28 Gallon Nano

02/04/2009, 09:15 AM	#10
w16227 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Burbs Posts: 479	Without a canopy to hide things - something that looks "good" may be a problem - and block more light. A finer mesh will work - but block more light. You could also try offsetting a second piece of egg crate over the first one (use some plastic spacer to lock the offset) and attach with zip ties. I would probably go with some form of canopy (your 25 gal - right?)- a smaller one is cheap and you most likely would not need anything else to cover the tank. Best bet - post a current pic. Might help generate some ideas. In my case - I used egg crate for support and stability - then attached plastic gutter guard in areas that needed additional "blockage". Not the most light friendly - but I do not have this between my lights and the tank - just on the open back of the canopy. __________________ call me "w" - easier to remember Current Tank Info: 125g All Glass rr, 50g sump/fuge, RKE, T5 Retrofit Lights, Deltec Turbo Skimmer, PM Kalk Reactor

02/03/2009, 11:09 PM	#2
vid660 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 466	You want to cover eggcrate you already have on the tank?

02/03/2009, 11:11 PM	#3
Tylt33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,755	Bridal veil or bird netting. What size is your tank, Ronny? My local window/glass store custom made me two screens for my 120g for $20... lets plenty of light in, and 0% chance of a fish jumping. Looks nice too!

02/04/2009, 08:30 AM	#6
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Ya i remember stuff posted here from lows or home depot. tank 25 gal had eggcrate on tank took it off put glass top back on to keep my diamond gobie in . I think i ket a different light projection with the glass .Some mushrooms have shrunk a little since I did this. Been married 34 years no bridal veil. My daughter has her dress all sealed stored here. What do you think . Ronny

02/04/2009, 08:31 AM	#7
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	I can't do search there was a thread here for this can ya find it and post it Thanks Ronny

02/04/2009, 08:37 AM	#9
ducatimikep Needs Moar Cowbell Join Date: May 2008 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 263	On Topic / Off topic How does the tank need to be covered to prevent "things" from jumping AWOL?

02/04/2009, 09:22 AM	#11
Klaus777 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kitchener, ontario Posts: 244	Not sure if this is the thread you're looking for but it has some good ideas that I plan to try. HTH http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1550294

02/04/2009, 09:32 AM	#12
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I just switched from eggcrate to screens w/ frames & it's much cleaner looking as well as keeping fish where they belong. For my 75 I simply purchased; 2 - 8' pieces of black frame 2 - 4 packs of black corners 1 - roll of fiberglass silver screen ( not metal) 1- roll of spline cord 1 - spline install tool Total: $20.59 @ Home Depot last week.

02/05/2009, 08:05 AM	#13
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Rook How did you make openings to gain access to feed ect.

02/05/2009, 08:22 AM	#14
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	I made the screens about 1/4 - 1/2" smaller depth wise to allow for powerhead cords. I don't really have an issue with fish jumping but you could easily add some epdm weatherstripping or a thin rubber flap on the back edge if your worried about the jumpers. As far as feeding, I wrapped a small piece of electrical tape from the front underside to create a handle. Works great. Just lift & slide over to over to feed. I may rivet a small u-shaped handle to the screens for a finished look. If I can borrow a digital camera, I'll snap some pics of the difference. Looks much better.